'Democracy Is Under Threat By Trump Republicans,' Say 2 Millburn Primary Election Winners

MILLBURN, NJ — After a contested election in the Tuesday Democratic primary for two seats on the Millburn Township Committee, the two Democrats who secured the nomination said local elections are more important than ever because of a "threat by Trump Republicans."

Annette Romano and Michael H. Cohen faced off Tuesday against a third candidate, Jeff Feld, to get two nominations to run for two seats on the five-member Millburn Township Committee in November.

Unlike nearby towns (such as Maplewood) in which no Republicans have filed to face off in November, the Democratic nominees face a challenge from two Republicans, including a former school board member.

Nominees Cohen and Romano released a joint statement Thursday saying:

"We're humbled by the support of our fellow Millburn-Short Hills Democrats. This election and the general election is about Millburn-Short Hills values. In a time when democracy is under threat by Trump Republicans, we must redouble our efforts to elect representatives at all levels of government who will fight to strengthen our institutions and protect fundamental rights. Every election matters."

The statement echoed similar comments made by the campaign of Rep. Mikie Sherrill this week. A spokesperson for Sherrill, who's up for re-election in November, warned of Republican "extremism" after the congresswoman clenched the Democratic nomination on Tuesday.

"Mikie Sherrill earned more votes in her uncontested primary election than all five Republican candidates combined," said her spokesperson Wednesday. "Voters in Essex, Morris, and Passaic will continue to reject this brand of extremism in the fall."

Millburn Vote Totals

As of Wednesday at noon, Cohen was leading the vote totals with 1,077 votes. Romano amassed 979 and Jeffrey Feld had garnered 385. As ballots could be mailed in as late as Tuesday evening, some are likely still being counted.

However, there was enough of a wide margin that Feld released a concession statement (below).

Meanwhile, the two Republicans who secured their nominations uncontested, and their totals, are:

• Oyin Owolabi, a former Board of Education member, 289 votes
• Michael Rozansky, a retired small business owner, 295 votes

Their totals were likely influenced by the fact that they didn't face a challenge for the nomination, as the Democrats did.

Feld's Statement

Feld, who came up short of the Democratic nomination, released a statement referring to controversial issues in town, such as a proposed affordable building at 9 Main St.

"Residents spoke," Feld wrote. "I lost. I will not be a November local Democrat party candidate. My short primary campaign was liberating. I met and heard many residents. New voices were added to the public debate. I want to thank my family, friends, and residents who encouraged and supported my grass roots reform effort. We effected change. Two incumbents gone and one retired municipal attorney."

He added, "To my two primary opponents Michael Cohen and Annette Romano, good luck in the November election. Please listen to all residents. Heed their suggestions. Focus upon robust informed civil civic participation. Speak up on the 100 percent affordable housing project on the contaminated DPW project site before it rips this community apart. Restore the civility and common sense approach of Mayor Elaine Becker. At the end of the day, we all are neighbors who want to preserve and to defend what makes this community special."

Romano and Cohen addressed Feld's concession as well.

"We appreciate Mr. Feld's well wishes," they wrote, "and are looking forward to continuing to have an open dialogue with our fellow residents, working toward creative solutions to our challenges and working to elect the whole Democratic ticket in November."

In Millburn's form of government, the five members of the Township Committee choose a member from among themselves to be mayor each year.

Updated election numbers will be here.

Two of the five current Millburn Township Committee members will leave office on Dec. 31, 2022, and the two winners of the November race will be sworn in during the month of January.

Voting Information

Get more information at the New Jersey Voter Information Portal here.

Essex County has a list of locations to cast a paper ballot, including Millburn Town Hall. See the list here.

Here are the profiles of the three Democratic candidates who faced off for the nomination.

• Michael Cohen, a retired financial professional
• Jeff Feld, an attorney and business owner
• Annette Romano, local Democratic party chair and former health and safety director with the American Red Cross.

Updates on the Republican candidates will be posted soon.